Bethlehem man convicted of all charges in child rape case

Michael Piper faces up to 62 years in prison for raping girl over two years.

June 07, 2012|By Riley Yates, Of The Morning Call

A family cried in relief Thursday as a former Bethlehem man was convicted of repeatedly raping a girl beginning when she was 12.

Michael A. Piper, 43, was found guilty by a Northampton County jury of all seven sex offenses he faced, including child rape and sexual assault, after 51/2 hours of deliberations over two days.

"I've very proud of her," Assistant District Attorney Patricia Broscius said of a teen who took the stand against Piper this week. "I admire her. I admire her guts."

Authorities said the sex assaults stretched over two years, beginning in 2006. On Tuesday, the victim told the jury that Piper would force her to undress, get on top of her and rape her. Another teenager said she confided to a friend in 2007 that Piper had tried to rape her as well — allegations for which he was not charged.

Broscius told jurors it was difficult for the victim to come forward, face a "room full of strangers" and say what happened to her. But she finally got the courage after hearing that Piper had made inappropriate advances toward a third girl, Broscius said.

Defense attorney Glenn Goodge argued at trial that the teen's memory was vague and physical evidence was lacking. He said she initially denied to police that Piper had sexually assaulted her, and he charged she was a troubled person who was telling tales.

Piper faces a maximum of 62 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 26 by Judge Craig Dally. Piper will have to register for life as a sex offender and will be evaluated to determine whether he should be classified as a sexually violent predator.

The victim was not in the courtroom when the sentence was delivered. But her family was, and they wiped tears and hugged one another as the forewoman announced the jury's decisions.

"Justice has been served," the teen's mother said afterward.

Her loved ones, she said, "are going to be able to live their lives and not have to worry where [Piper] is and what he's doing."

Goodge declined to comment, other than to say he believes there are "a number of issues" that could be raised about the trial at appeal.